Probe Keywords

To understand what a probe keyword is, you first need to recall what
a rule keyword is. A rule keyword is a predefined lexical unit or word that
describes a general system attribute, such as host name, hostname,
or memory size, memsize. Rule keywords and the values that
are associated with them enable you to match a system that has the same attribute
to a profile. This match of a system's attributes defines how the Solaris
software is to be installed on each system in the group.

Custom JumpStart environment variables, which you use in begin and finish
scripts, are set on demand. For example, information about which operating
system is already installed on a system is only available in SI_INSTALLED after
the installed rule keyword is used.

In some situations, you might need to extract the same information
in a begin or finish script for a purpose other than to match a system and
run a profile. Probe keywords provide the solution. Probe keywords extract
attribute information and remove the need for you to set up a matching condition
and run a profile.